Where the Phoenix No Longer Returns

Ah, whose wedding is this, anyway? Whose wedding is this, anyway? Whose wedding is this, anyway? Oh my, what a hero indeed! This must be the Ningguo Marquisate. Eight sedan chairs, ten miles of red bridal trousseau—such grandeur! Just which young lady from the Xie clan is the Marquis of Ning taking as his bride? I’ve long heard that the Marquis of Ning and the Xie family’s eldest daughter have been childhood sweethearts, inseparable since they were little. No doubt it’s the Xie family’s eldest daughter, Xie Yaoguang. She’s both beautiful and virtuous, while he’s brave and unmatched—truly a match made in heaven. Look at those highstepping horses they’re riding. Miss, your groom has arrived. Go on then. Motherinlaw, today I, Ning Yuanzhou, have come to claim the Xie family’s beloved daughter. Please grant us your blessing. Marquis, you and Guang’er were betrothed in childhood. On this momentous day, I hope you’ll treat him with sincerity and protect him well. But… why does it say “Wan’er” here? Could it be a slip of the pen in the heat of the moment? Mother. Mother, there’s no mistake in the marriage contract—Brother Yuanzhou has indeed come today to take me as his wife. Yao Guang, I’ve been ordered to guard the northwest frontier. This journey will last at least three years; I can’t bear the thought of you, frail and delicate as you are, enduring the wind and sun alongside me. So… I’ve asked Wan’er to accompany me instead. Ning Yuanzhou, Guang’er has always cherished you deeply, yet now you publicly renounce our engagement—how can such an unkind, unjust act possibly honor the legacy of the Ning clan? Motherinlaw, it’s precisely because I care for the Ning family’s reputation that I couldn’t bear to let Yaoguang suffer. Ning Yuanzhou. Are you truly worried about her hardships, or have you already secretly conspired with that bastard, Xie Lingwang Wu Mei? Good heavens. The Marquis of Ning has suddenly switched brides—so it turns out he’d been secretly carrying on with that illegitimate girl all along. To snatch away one’s sister’s fiancé—how could such a thing even happen? How shameless! Sister, how could you think so poorly of me? Wan’er only wanted to spare you the misery of the frontier, so she stepped forward to care for Brother Yuanzhou in your place. Who would’ve imagined this would spark baseless rumors? How am I supposed to face anyone after this? Guang, though my son may be worth two thousand gold pieces to your Xie clan, he’s endured nothing but humiliation under your roof. Compared to you, he’s far better suited to life on the frontier. What? Madam Xie is usually as kind as a Bodhisattva, yet behind closed doors she treats her illegitimate daughter so cruelly—truly a case of knowing someone’s face but not their heart! Oh dear. Mother. Mother. Motherinlaw, whatever you do today, Xiaoxu will never change his mind. Right now, Wan’er is barely scraping by in the manor, reduced to fighting over scraps with the dogs. If I don’t take her away today… I’m afraid… Next time I return, I might find nothing but a corpse. Ning Yuanzhou, my mother has treated you so kindly—how dare you slander her like this? Sister. Don’t hit Brother Yuanzhou! If you must strike someone, strike me instead! Do you really think you can get away with this? Back then, when Mother saw how pitiful you were… she took you in from the brothel, expecting nothing in return. But instead, you spread false rumors against your stepmother, coveted your elder sister’s betrothal—and still have the nerve to call yourself decent. Enough, Miss Guang’er. Yao Guang, I know you’re furious over recent events, but please calm down. Though I’ve brought Wan’er into the household first, the position of principal wife remains yours. When I return from guarding the frontier, I’ll present double the dowry, and welcome you back as the Marquisate’s true mistress. In these three years, take some time to cool off. And how could you possibly know I’ll still be waiting for you in the same place? Guang’er, my precious Guang’er—what are we to do now? You used your entire dowry to exchange ten thousand measures of grain for Yuanzhou, yet now he publicly breaks our engagement, tarnishing your reputation. How will you ever marry again after this? Mother. I had hoped that sincerity would win sincerity—but clearly, I was wrong. Since Ning Yuanzhou has betrayed his word and torn up our betrothal, then I shall follow the Empress Dowager’s wishes and go to the palace to become the most honored woman under heaven.

Queen Xuē's daughter, Xie Yaoguang, a refined and elegant lady from a prestigious family, has now been officially crowned as the Empress, to preside over the palace. Mother, this is a new massage technique I have learned. I wonder if it can help ease your leg condition? Yao Guang, now that you are the Empress, there is no need for you to do everything by yourself. Such small matters can be handled by the palace maids. It is because of you that I found a husband who truly loves me. Moreover, it is natural for a daughterinlaw to serve her motherinlaw. Our dynasty governs the country with filial piety. As the Empress, I must set an example for the people. His Majesty's character is such that I could never arrange his marriage. It was he who chose me. You... Mother... Yao Guang, seeing how virtuous and kind you are, I can rest assured. You will surely stand by His Majesty's side and bring peace and prosperity to the country. Your Majesty, General Yuanzhou is here with his family, requesting an audience. Bring them in. Brother Yuanchou, although I carry your child, I am merely a lowly concubine of the Xie family. But your sister is not only an official daughter, but also the Empress Dowager's niece. His Majesty might not agree to let me stay by your side. Wang'er, don't worry. You have fought with me on the battlefield for three years. If you give me a son, I will definitely beg the Emperor to grant you a coconcubine position during this audience. Shall we first go and see the Empress Dowager? Then... your sister. Wan'er, Yao Guang's deep feelings for me will surely make her accept my arrangements. General Yuanzhou and his family are hereby announced to enter the hall. I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. Xueya Guang, how come you are here?

Shen Yaoguang. What are you doing here? As the Empress, I’ve come to pay my respects to my motherinlaw. If not here, then where else could I be? Brother Yanzhou—could it be that Sister knows we’ve returned to the capital specifically to beg Her Majesty the Empress Dowager to make you honor our marriage agreement and send me away? Shen Yaoguang. Three years on, and you still haven’t learned to be tolerant of others. I’ve already resolved to use my military achievements to secure Wan’er a position as an equal consort. Your schemes will not succeed. Ning Yuanzhou. Ah. On account of your recent return to the court and the distinguished service you’ve rendered to our dynasty, this humble one will overlook your words for now. But if you persist in speaking such falsehoods, I shall have you brought to justice. Your humble servant has erred in speech. So he still doesn’t know I am the reigning Empress? Your Majesty, what is it you seek? This humble one understands that Your Majesty is Sister’s maternal aunt; naturally, certain matters may lean slightly in her favor. I dare not presume to ask for anything extraordinary—only that, upon entering the palace, Sister might allow me to remain by Brother Yanzhou’s side. Even if it means serving as a footwashing maid, I would gladly accept it. Upon entering the palace, I beseech Your Majesty to grant this request.

Again with this trick—three years already. Xie Lingwan really hasn’t improved one bit. Xie Yaoguang, my son is now my wife, not your Xie family’s servant. I won’t let you bully her. The servant Xie Lingwan was, in fact, the illegitimate daughter born to my father and a courtesan in the pleasure quarters. In any other household, how could a mistress possibly tolerate her husband’s child by a prostitute? It was only because my mother had a soft heart that she brought her home from the brothel. Treat her kindly. As for you all, take these items over to Young Madam Second’s chambers. From now on, our estate has another young lady—her food, clothing, and daily needs will be equal to those of the eldest madam. Alas, what a pitiful child she is. Madam, who would have imagined that in the end, Xie Lingwan would go around telling everyone how cruel her mother was to her? She even fabricated tales of being a lowly servant in the Xie household, fighting over scraps of food with dogs. Is Ningyuan Prefecture some isolated, desolate corner of the northwest? Have you lost your mind? When did I, Xie Yaoguang, ever say I’d marry someone like you? Xie Yaoguang, stop pretending. Ever since you were old enough to understand, you’ve been insisting you’ll marry no one but me, pestering both sets of parents until they set up a betrothal agreement. And now you tell me you’re calling it off? Don’t try to fool me into believing you’ve forgotten all about it. That was when I was still young and foolish. From the day you married another man’s wife, our engagement was automatically dissolved. I, Xie Yaoguang, will never marry someone as faithless as you. Faithless? You call me faithless? Back then, when I went to guard the western frontier, it was Wan’er who raised ten thousand taels of grain and supplies for my army, helping me through a terrible crisis. To repay such kindness, I chose first to welcome Wan’er into my home as my wife. What’s wrong with that? And you? As my fiancée, what were you doing at the time? What exactly were you up to? Ten thousand taels of grain for the army… That was clearly the Empress Dowager—Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. Oh no, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is in trouble! The Crown Prince—no one knows what’s happened—he’s suddenly turned blue and purple, his breathing has stopped, and his whole body is covered in red spots. What’s going on? How have you been caring for the Crown Prince? What’s wrong with Lie’er?

What’s the problem? Look, the Crown Prince seems to be choking. I know how to remove the foreign object from his throat. If we can save him, we’ll earn a great merit. His Majesty will surely approve our marriage and even grant you a promotion. Lier—what’s wrong with her? Sister is so anxious; the Crown Prince must be trying to seize the credit and curry favor before the Empress Dowager. Ning Yuanzhou, what are you doing snatching the child? Xie Liuguang is so frantic—looks like Wan’er was right; he really is desperate to claim all the glory. I’ve been stationed in the northwest for three years, yet I had no idea His Majesty was already married and had a Crown Prince. Ning Yuanzhou, what on earth are you trying to do? Give me the child! The General of the Northern Garrison is holding the Crown Prince hostage—are you afraid your own life isn’t long enough? Someone! Bring him to me! Arrest him at once! Your Majesty, please calm down. Just now, Wan’er told me the Crown Prince is only choking. As long as we extract the foreign object from his throat, he’ll be fine. Don’t make the Empress Dowager laugh—Wan’er picked up some rogue’s tricks while serving at the frontier; she’s sure to save the Crown Prince. No way—Lier’s symptoms are clearly allergic. If it were just choking, why would she break out in a rash? Lord Yao, are you so eager to show off before the Empress Dowager that you’d risk this very life? Now is not the time for you to vie for credit. Ning Yuanzhou, do you really think everyone is as obsessed with grabbing praise as you are? Let go of me! If anything happens to Lier, His Majesty will have your entire clan executed. Don’t worry, Sister—I promise nothing will happen.

Empress Dowager Li’er, Your Majesty, Your Majesty has fainted! Quickly move the Empress Dowager to the rear palace and summon the imperial physicians at once. Ah, she’s crying—The Crown Prince has spoken! His Highness has made a sound! This humble servant has not failed in her mission. Although His Highness did not vomit anything, he did swallow the foreign object lodged in his throat; he is now out of danger. You have rendered great service in rescuing the Crown Prince. Once the Empress Dowager recovers, this maid will surely report your merits to Her Majesty. Thank you for Your Majesty’s kindness—this is but what I ought to do. However… Why were you so flustered just now, even stopping me from saving His Highness? Could it be deliberate? That’s a crime punishable by death! What nonsense are you spouting again? Xie Yaoguang, tell me—what business do you have entering the palace today? Did you orchestrate this sudden emergency involving the Crown Prince? Are you trying to use this chance to save him as an excuse to force the Empress Dowager into letting me marry you? How dare you! Do you even know that I am the reigning Empress?

Do you know? What happened to my son? My daughter screamed too loudly just now, scaring our child. I'm sorry for the embarrassment, perhaps because she's about to give birth, the baby can't bear the shock and often kicks. I think he's just like his father, a tough boy. Then all you do is laugh. You little rascal. Why don't you come out from there? Come out quickly! Let me give you a good beating. Brother Yuanzhou, don't scare him, what if he hears you and gets too scared to come out? My son, Yuanzhou. How could he be such a cowardly fellow? Hmm, Yaoguang, you shouldn't be jealous either. I'm not refusing to marry you, after all, everyone knows you've been waiting for me for three years. I, Yuanyu, am not someone without feelings. Once Wanyuer gives birth to my legitimate son, during the full moon banquet, I will bring you into the house, and then you will be my official wife. Yuanyu, you are shameless.

Sister, what are you doing? You, Yuanzhou—don’t go getting carried away. I’ve already married; Lier is my sister. Stop deluding yourself. Back then, you swore you’d marry only Brother Yuanzhou. Though in the end, it was me he chose, everyone already knows I’m notorious for being hard to wed. Tell me—what powerful noble in Jingzhou would dare take a wife like me? Indeed, Yang Guo. Don’t be so stubborn. Besides, you can no longer bear children. Wan’er will help me carry on your lineage. You ought to be grateful, not make such a fuss or act jealous. Why put on this petulant, sulky face? It’s utterly unbecoming. I can’t have children—don’t you, Ning Yuanzhou, know why? No one does. Back then, young Ning Yuanzhou couldn’t even bring himself to kill a chicken. He didn’t even dare slay a single bird. Once, wounded on the battlefield, he deserted repeatedly because he dared not strike down his enemies, drawing scorn from all his comrades. When he returned, his eyes were bloodshot, and he locked himself inside, refusing to step outside. Yuanzhou, Yuanzhou—open the door! Yuanzhou, Yuanzhou. Yuanzhou, no one is born a warrior. Even Old Marquis Hou, when he was young, was taken prisoner by others because he wasn’t skilled enough. But you’ve been training in martial arts since childhood. If you can conquer your inner demons, you’ll surely achieve great things. Yet after I helped him overcome his fears, Ning Yuanzhou either wouldn’t kill at all—or once he did, he’d slaughter without restraint. Yuanzhou, stop! Please, stop!

How could this happen? I'll go get a doctor for you, I'll take you to see a doctor. The sword has injured your womb, Miss Xie, you may never be able to have children in your lifetime. There's light, I'm sorry. Don't worry, I'm going back to the battlefield soon. If I survive, I will never let you down in the future. Ning Yuanzhou did indeed survive. After returning from the battlefield covered in blood, he became a war god who killed enemies effortlessly. But I never waited for the day he would marry me. And now, I don't care about these things anymore. Oh no, the red spots on the Prince's body haven't gone away. What? What?

No, this isn't a rash. This is an allergic reaction. Are you the martyr of Peach? I, your servant, have no... Why does my elder sister want to trouble an old lady? How many people in this world are allergic to Peach? Ah, is it because my sister is still upset about not being able to save the prince earlier and wants to put on another act of saving someone? What are you talking about! Xiaoguang, that's enough. Don't think just because you're allergic to peach, you think the prince is the same as you. What's wrong? Do you really think the prince is your own child? Ignorant! Huo Min's illness, everyone can get divorced. Moreover, Lier was originally Lier's breath, why has it suddenly become weak? Why hasn't the physician arrived yet? Quickly go to my palace and bring me the cinnabar box. Yes. Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine Palace reports that the prince has suddenly fallen ill. The Empress has urgently summoned the physicians for treatment. What? Lier is sick, immediately prepare to go to the Imperial Concubine Palace. Kneel down at the Imperial Concubine Palace. Sister, what do you need cinnabar for? Cinnabar is a poison. Ah, Brother Yuanchou, quickly stop her, don't let my sister do something foolish. Xiaoguang, are you crazy? Cinnabar is such a deadly poison, you use it on the prince, what's your intention? Ning Yuanchou, this is my family matter, what does it have to do with you? Xiaoguang, you are disrespectful. What status are you? What status is the prince? Don't think just because you are the daughter of the Empress's maternal relative, you can treat royal matters as your own. Madam, madam, madam, please stop hitting me. Mom, mom.

No, Brother Yuanzhao, it must be the palace maid who got flustered and called out the wrong name. How could the sister possibly be the imperial concubine? It must be Yaoru who has always wanted to become my wife. It's impossible for her to enter the palace as a concubine. She must have made a mistake. Xiaoguang, are you crazy? Murdering the crown prince is a crime punishable by execution of the entire family. Ningyuanzhou, you're hindering the prince's treatment. You're the one who should be executed along with your entire family. Xiaoguang, I know you're eager to prove yourself in front of the empress mother. Isn't that all you want? To have me marry you? Okay, I agree. I'll marry you now. Are you satisfied? Stop making a scene and go back. Sister, as long as you don't hurt the prince, I'm willing to give you the brother from the distant state. What is Ningyuanzhou anyway? Even if he kowtowed three times and bowed nine times to ask for me, I wouldn't care. Don't try to stop me from disappearing, sister. How could you say such things? Me and Brother Yuanshou have been so tolerant, all for your safety. Xie Raoguang, you really don't know when to stop. I advise you to hand over the prince right now, or I won't be able to plead for you in front of the emperor. Get away! Stop!